If you are planning to start storing your files in the cloud, you have a lot of options. When it comes to choosing between OneDrive vs. Google Drive, there are several things to consider.

OneDrive VS Google Drive: Which Is Superior?

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Google Drive and OneDrive are to types of cloud storage. They both allow you to free up space on your hard drive by making it possible for you to save files in the cloud. They also both offer unique features and applications that help make users more productive. They also both offer their own browser-based office suites, Google Docs, and Office Online.

While they are similar, they have a lot of differences. One is not necessarily superior to the other, but one may be better suited for your needs than the other.  If you are trying to decide which one to pick, it’s a good idea to try them both out for a short time to see which one you like best.

The more you know about each storage option, the easier it is to make the decision. Here are some things to help you choose between OneDrive vs. Google drive.

Storage Costs

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Cost is a concern for most people. When two storage options are so similar, you want to opt for the one that is the best value. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is the cheapest option. Both OneDrive and Google Drive have various storage size options available at different prices.

Google Drive

Google drive offers 15GB of free cloud storage when you create a Google account. If you only save file online occasionally, this may be more cloud storage than you will ever need. If you need more storage space, there are plenty of options and something for every budget. The plans are as follows,

  • 100GB for $ a month with an annual discount of 16%
  • 1TB for $ a month with an annual discount of 17%
  • 2TB for $$ a month
  • 10TB for $$ a month
  • 20TB for $$$ a month
  • 30TB for $$$ a month

OneDrive

OneDrive also offers free cloud storage just for making an account, but you only get 5GB. This might be enough storage space if you don’t save a lot of files in the cloud. OneDrive also offers larger storage amounts at affordable rates. The plans are as follows,

  • 50GB for $1.99 a month or $ a year.
  • 1TB for $6.99 a month or $$ a year.
  • 5TB for $9.99 a month or $$ a year.
  • OneDrive Business for $$ a year
  • OneDrive Business Advanced for $$$ a year.
  • One Drive Business All-In-One for $ a month or $$$ a year.

File Sharing

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If you plan on using either of these storage options for work or even school, you will need to share the files you save in them. File sharing is available for both OneDrive and Google Drive. They both work the same for the most part, but their slight differences may allow you to choose between Onedrive vs. Google drive.

Google Drive

Google Drive allows you to share both folder and files by simply right clicking on them and choosing either “share” or “get shareable link” from the dropdown menu.  If you choose to share the file or folder, you will have the option to enter an email address and send the link to it. If you choose to get the link, it will be copied to the clipboard, and you can paste it into an email or anywhere else.  

Google Drive also allows you to automatically share the link via Gmail, Google+, Twitter, and Facebook. These shared files are formatted in Google Docs and the recipients can either read, edit, or comment on them. You can set the permissions before you send it.

OneDrive

To share a file or folder on OneDrive, you simply right click on it. A dropdown menu will appear, and you can select the share option. This will create a link to the file or folder. You will then have the option to copy the link, email it, or share it via various versions of social media.

OneDrive gives you the option to share the link via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Sina Weibo. You can choose to allow editing and even set an expiration date for the link.

Synchronization

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Not everyone will have the same device as you and synchronization allow them to access the folder and files you are sharing, no matter what type of device they are using.  Both drives have a sync folder, and you can access it to check to make sure the files and folders you want to send have been properly synced. The process is different for each drive.

Google Drive

You can view the synced filed in the Google Drive by clicking on the icon in the taskbar. This will also show you if there were any problems trying to sync the files. While there is plenty of room to sync files, you do have the option to turn off the feature and manually choose which files you want to sync.

To do this, just click on the preferences option in the task menu and click on the Google Drive tab. You can toggle through the folders and choose which ones you want to sync automatically or turn off the sync feature. 

OneDrive

OneDrive offers the same options for syncing your files. They all automatically sync unless you turn off the option.  The sync folders are easy to access, and there are also subfolders to help keep everything organized.

If you want to send your files to the cloud, you simply drag and drop them over the OneDrive tab. To turn off automatic syncing, just click on the settings option in the taskbar and then click to uncheck the boxes next to the folder or subfolders that you do not want to sync.

Apps

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Both storage options have various integrated apps. Both have their own office suites, which helps them; stand out from their competitors, but not necessarily each other. While they both offer different apps, they are very similar.

Google Drive

Google Drive apps include everything available in Microsoft Suite. Google Docs is the word processing option, Google Sheets is the spreadsheet option, the presentation option is Google Slides, and Google Forms is for making forms. Any files created in these apps are automatically stored in Google Drive. They also all give you the option to share the files directly from the app.

You also have the ability to create your own integrations if you are a developer. Google Drive works with numerous other apps, and Google even offers a library of compatible apps that you can search and download from directly.

OneDrive

OneDrive also has its own app suite called Office Online. The suite includes familiar programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The online versions are lighter versions of these apps, but they function much in the same way, and they are free with your OneDrive membership.  

OneDrive also offers an app that allows you to take quick notes called OneNote.  Microsoft has also integrated other apps into OneDrive including Mail, Tasks, Calendar, People, Skype, and Flow.  Microsoft doesn’t offer a library of other available apps.

Security

Many people worry about the security of their files and folders that are saved in the cloud. Both Google Drive and OneDrive offer great security features that protect your information.

Google Drive

Google Drive encrypts information as it is being sent from your device to the cloud with TLS and 256-bit AES. Once the files have made it to the data center, they are decrypted and then encrypted a second time. So far, this type of encryption has never been broken.  Some people don’t like that Google decrypts the files and would prefer they stay encrypted the entire time.

Google also offers two-factor authentication, which means you need to enter two sets of information to prove that you have permission to view the documents. If you log in from a different device, you will be asked to enter your password and a PINthat can be confirmed with a text message to your phone.

OneDrive

OneDrive does offer some encryption, but it is not necessarily as good as what Google Drive offers. While the business files are encrypted at rest, personal files are left I plain text after they are encrypted. That means they could still be read if someone is able to hack into your account. All files are encrypted during transit with 256-bit AES.

Another problem with OneDrive’s security feature is that if the account is hacked or the files are intercepted and destroyed or deleted, there is no way to get them back. OneDrive does have the option for two-factor authentication, but it doesn’t make up for the problems.  

Benefits Of Saving Items In The Cloud

If you don’t currently save your files in the cloud, you could be making a big mistake. Not only are using up storage space on your computer or device, but you are missing out on some big benefits. The cloud is still a new concept for many people, and you may not be comfortable using it because you don’t know much about it. Here are a few benefits of saving items in the cloud.

Recovery

Savings files on your computer or device is risky. If your system fails, is hacked, or if you accidentally delete those files, you could lose them forever. If they are important, this could be a big problem, especially for businesses. When your files are saved in the cloud, you can easily access them and rest assured that they are backed up and easy to retrieve when you need them.

Flexibility

If you aren’t sure how much storage space you need, you can benefit from using the cloud because it can grow with you. No matter which cloud storage option you choose, you will always have the option to upgrade. You can start out with the included storage amounts available with OneDrive and Google Drive, and then upgrade if you end up needing more storage space at a later time.

Automatic Updates

Having to update your computer and drives can be frustrating. With the cloud, all of the servers are offsite, which means you don’t have to worry about them. Everything is updated automatically without causing any interference with the storage space on your device. You never have to worry about maintaining the system and can focus on your work.

Access Files from Anywhere

If you travel often but don’t always remember to bring your device, or aren’t always able to have it with you, it can make accessing your files difficult. If those files are saved in the cloud, you can access them from any device. You simply have to log in to your OneDrive or Google Drive account and find the files you want to share or access. You can even access them on public computers and smartphones.

Security

Even though your files may be virtually secure on your device, what happens if you lose it? If you have passwords saved on your device, anyone who finds it can log in and have access to your documents and information. When these items are saved in the cloud, there is no way for anyone to access your password. Double authentication is often required, meaning your files are safe and secure at all times.

Organization

Not only do cloud services give you a place to safely store your documents, but they also allow you to organize them easily. While your device may have limited options, these services have more to offer. You can easily sort and move around your files to make them easier to access when you need them.

Final Thoughts

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Both OneDrive and Google Drive are great options if you are looking for a way to get your files saved to the cloud. While both are top contenders as far as storage programs go, many people have a hard time choosing between them.  

Since both offer free options, it’s a good idea to try both out for a short time to decide which one you like the best or which one can best meet your needs. Neither one is more superior to the other, and in many ways, they are very similar. When it comes to OneDrive vs. Google Drive, it’s all a matter of preference.


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